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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

"Vegetarians vs Meat-etarians" by Lara Schulte

Are you vegetarian or are you a meat eater? Are you one of these for a reason, or just because it's part of your everyday life to either eat a scrumptious, juicy piece of meat or to eat a veggie burger? Are you wondering what the right choice is?

Personally, I strongly feel that being a vegetarian is a good thing. I am sure you didn't know that for every kilogram of meat, 4 000 litres of water was used? -Another thing we should consider to save more of -water. But that is slightly off topic.

Being a vegetarian is difficult though, especially in a country like South Africa. People here eat meat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even in between as a snack. South Africans eat biltong like it's part of their recommended daily protein allowance. Eating meat is like brushing your teeth; something you do without even thinking about it. But do they think about that cow that has been killed just to be put into one of those little Woolworths packets and consumed at break time by some child in some school in some place in South Africa?But I'm not saying it's a bad thing to eat meat. On the contrary, actually.

Meat is the main source of protein for the human body. It is healthy and is needed in the daily diet of the average person. But, is it needed in such high quantities? Is it possible to eat meat but to eat only the necessary amount?Of course it is. And so our simple conclusion is: eat less meat.

There's nothing really to debate: it's to meat or not to meat! Like with anything else in life: meat in moderation can do no harm, and the same with veggies. The best is to find a healthy balance between meat and veggies, (and a tomato or two!), and then enjoy it. I can imagine that life without meat must be as boring as studying on a Saturday night! To feel sorry for the cow/pig/chicken/lamb/sheep/fish is a bit over the top - if we don't eat them, something else will! They WANT to be eaten, for goodness sake! So: next time you go to the shop, buy a good chop, go home, light the fire and BRAAI!!!! Enjoy!

Thank you for the comments and the short verse- i'm glad you feel the same way that I do(excluding Mr Esterhuyse of course :)). I understand what you mean, but i'm not saying that one should totally give up meat- just eat less. If everybody eats less meat, then there will be less animals killed around the world. I'm sure everybody agrees that that would be good thing!

I would be interested to find out the stats -like, by How Much has the number of Vegans and Vegetarians INCREASED over the last.... say, 30 years? And I also think we need to make sure we understand the difference between Vegetarianism and Vegan-ism. What is the difference?

Veganism is diet that excludes ALL animal based products or products derived from animals. So basically that means no eggs or milk or cheese. Vegetarianism only excludes meat.A very interesting book based on years and years of research by Dr Campbell called The China Study, looks at how cancer is related to high protein consumption

Grade 11 Book Review of the Month

"To Kill A Mockingbird" by H Lee

Jem and Scout live with their widowed father, Atticus, in the small, predominantly white town of Maycomb.

One summer the children meet a little boy named Dill and play on the dangerous property of Boo Radley. They are shot at but constantly find themselves saved by the mysterious Boo who inhabits the house.

At the same time Atticus, who is a lawyer, takes the case of a black man accused of raping a young white woman. As the case unfolds the family is discriminated against and the although the man is proven innocent, he is jailed and the woman's shamed father vows revenge.

The story is interesting and the themes compelling. A mature read.
-I KASSELMAN

Book Review

Water for Elephants

Grade 10 Book Review of the week

"Water for Elephants" by S Gruen

Jacob's parents die and he jumps a train to join the circus a week before he graduates. Becoming the circus vet, Jacob spends time with the animals and people of the traveling show.

He falls in love with the animal trainer's wife, with tragic results.

Written as a memoir the novel is slightly predictable but very beautiful.

Now a major motion picture.

-Y AMIN

Book Review

Chasing Redbird

Just another great novel for Grade 10

"Chasing Redbird" by S Creech

Set in the outskirts of Bybanks and stretching along Chocton, Zinny uncovers an overgrown pathway at the back of her house and a map indicating a trail from Bybanks to Chocton.

Zinny finds answers to her problems on the trail. She feels guilty about the death of her cousin, Rose, who caught whooping cough from Zinny when they were both four. When Zinny's aunt, Jessie, dies she feels as if she is losing herself.

She struggles to bloom in the midst of three noisy brothers and three confident overbearing sisters who constantly compete for attention.

Along with all of this, Jake Boone is back in town.

A captivating and intriguing read.

-N SMITH

Book Review

The Alchemist

Grade 9 Book Review of the Week

"The Alchemist" by P Coelho

Set in Andalusia and the North African desert, Santiago -a treasure-hunter- and an alchemist, crystal merchant, Englishman and camel driver's paths cross.

Santiago is a shepherd with a recurring dream: he goes to a gypsy who tells him to go to the pyramids where he will find his dreamed of treasure.

As Santiago follows his dream he learns from the alchemist about the Soul of the World, how to listen to his heart and how to speak with the winds and the sun.

The novel is life-changing and gripping.
-J NICOL

Book Review

Stealing Heaven

Just another great novel from the Grade 9s

"Stealing Heaven" by E Scott

Danielle and her mom travel around the country breaking into houses and then fleeing to safety. At the moment their story starts they are living in a pretty holiday town called Heaven.

Danielle is 18 years old, very cautious and struggling to trust those around her. Her 30-something mum is very beautiful but cold-hearted.

The pair move to Heaven where they meet Allison and Greg -but plan to break in to Allison's house. But Danielle is unhappy with her life as a thief, moving around, never having anything that she can count on or call her own. Until she falls in love with Greg.

A beautifully written love story with surprising twists in the plot.
-L PEROLD

Book Review

Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero

Grade 8 Book Review of the week

"Heroes of Olympus" by Rock Riordon

This book is set in Camp Half-Blood in Long Island, New York in the Underworld where Hades rules.

Jason, Son of Zeus, finds himself in Camp Half-Blood with no memory of how he got there. he is sent on a quest with three heroes: Jason, Leo and Piper who are seeking help from the gods of the four winds.

In the mean time, the mother of all Titans, Gaia, is awakening and with her all the dreaded, most vicious monsters. She wants to control the world once more and destroy the gods and demi-gods.

The series is entirely captivating and every book is difficult to put down.
-S VD HEEVER

The Guardian Fiction Prize

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